Atlas VPN: hidden mining programs topped the malware rating in 2021 year – Bits Media

According to Atlas VPN Analysts, in the first half of the year 2021 years of cryptojacking software revealed at 74 490 devices.

The malXMR malware is recognized as the leader in the rating of cryptojacking programs. In the first half of the year this application for hidden mining was infected 44 587 devices. The program uses the EternalBlue exploit to exploit a Windows vulnerability and extract crypto assets.

The second most popular is CoinMiner. Malware was found on 8 533 devices. The program penetrates the victim’s equipment through fake licensed applications from unofficial sources. Malicious apps were also found on the Google Play Store. Mobile devices, infected by Coinminer program, often overheat and fail.

The third place among cryptojacking programs is taken by the hidden mining application Monero ToolXMR. A hidden miner was discovered on 6 419 devices. This program mines cryptocurrency and sends it to the attacker’s wallet.

Then, that programs for hidden mining steal the computing power of the device, reduce productivity, increase equipment wear and tear and energy costs - just the tip of the iceberg. The hidden threat is, that the cryptojacking program will make it easier for attackers to carry out cyber attacks and steal the victim’s data in the future.

Hidden mining is very profitable for cybercriminals. It brings stable profits in cryptocurrency, which, thanks to anonymity, allows the hacker to remain undetected. Various types of hidden mining programs turn devices into machines for generating cryptocurrency. As a result, the speed of the devices decreases, this brings inconvenience to the owner and losses, especially when it comes to equipment, built into business processes.

In January 2020 IT security company Check Point noted in its report the dominance of cryptojacking among cyberattacks and predicted an increase in the spread of software for hidden cryptocurrency mining in cloud infrastructures.